AMERICAN ° 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ARTS. 
[SECOND SERIES.,} 
Art. XXXI.—A brief Memoir of the late Walter Folger, of 
Nantucket ; by Wiuiam MrrcHety. 
Mie Amone men of genius, those who have shared largely of natnre’s 
gifis, and manifested a high order of intellect in reference to those 
Inquiries which are hidden from ordinary minds, the late Walter 
Folger of Nantucket, is entitled to a prominent rank. He was born 
in the 6th month, (June,) 1765. His father, also named Walter, 
was among the wealthier class of that day, and one of the first 
who engaged in the manufacture of sperm candles, since become 
So extensively the business of the place. He was descended from 
Peter Folger, one of the earlier-settlers of the island, the maternal 
grandfather of Franklin, and the poet whose memory the Doctor 
80 fondly cherished. Walter, seuior, was much distinguished in 
early life for mechanical and mathematical talent, and at a later 
period when withdrawn from business, though eclipsed in every 
department by his son, he was sure to be found wherever any 
mechanical operation was in progress, that involved novelty of 
art or excellence of execution. On his mother’s side the subject 
Secoyp Serres, Vol. IX, No. 27.—May, 1850. 40 
